Soybean Processing Plants Research Articles

Maximizing Processing Value with Selective Handling Strategies: An Analysis of Soybeans Received at Iowa Elevators

Highlights Levels of protein and oil influence the marketability of soybeans Geographic differences in soybeans have economic implications for grain elevators Random errors in the receiving and analysis process mask these differences For soybeans to be marketed on protein and oil levels, errors in handling and analysis must be addressed Abstract . A better ability to understand and use geographic variations in protein and oil is one way to maximize the value potential of soybeans for handlers and processors. An Iowa cooperative had been sourcing soybeans for processing from nearby elevator locations and wanted to know whether this strategy was maximizing the net processing value of the soybeans. Random and systematic errors from testing and measurement instruments also impact marketing decisions and were investigated as part of this project. During the Fall 2018 soybean harvest, soybean samples were collected from 32 country elevator locations belonging to one Iowa-based cooperative which has its own soybean processing plant. Samples were analyzed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), and protein and oil content data were entered into an Estimated Processing Value (EPV) model to determine value differences of soybeans among elevator locations. Results showed substantial variability among locations that represented a $0.23/bushel EPV spread. No significant variation was found in soybean quality over the harvest season, suggesting that marketing decisions can be made at the beginning of the season. To determine the incidence of random errors, a simulated Excel-based model was used with three test cases. The introduction of random error lowered value gaps between locations, which made the discrimination of high-value locations from average or low-value locations difficult. Although protein and oil measurement with the NIR instrument was feasible even on busy harvest season days, the validity of marketing decisions using these data depended highly on the error involved in sample analysis. Future studies should identify specific sources of error and attempt to eliminate them. Specifically, one of the largest sources of error in a commodity-based market system is in the measuring units. The ability to isolate and quantify measurement error will improve the capability of the commodity-based soybean market system to focus trade decisions on end use traits, maximizing soybean value and providing incentive for improvement. Keywords: Error analysis, Grain elevators, Selective handling, Soybean processing, Soybean value.

Spatial pattern and evolution mechanism of China's soybean processing plants

Spatial pattern and evolution mechanism of China's soybean processing plants

Internal environmental conditions of soybean processing plants and safety in workplace

Currently, the domestic agricultural sector has become increasingly professionalized; therefore, measures aimed at safety in the workplace and monitoring of environmental risks have been gaining major importance in this scenario. Thus, this study aimed at assessing internal environmental conditions of four soybean processing plants (SPPs) operating with a screen-air machine, densimetric table and with or without spiral separator. These plants are in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), being assessed on site considering every feature related to machinery and equipment, as well as technological level. Field evaluations comprised measurements of noise, illuminance and suspended dust. Results showed that none of the SPPs is in full accordance with current laws for the investigated parameters, among which noise level is what most threatens the environmental conditions. Moreover, lightening conditions are unsatisfactory since the environments are extremely dark, not reaching minimal standard. Regarding the suspended dust is possible to claim that there is an emerging risk.

A short-term test for the evaluation of hydrogen and volatile fatty acids production from industrial effluents: The use of a short-term test to evaluate organic matter concentration from industrial effluents for the production of hydrogen and volatile fatty acids

A short-term test (time interval < 24 h) is proposed to evaluate the concentration of organic matter from industrial effluents for the production of hydrogen. Organic substrates selected were: protein effluent from a soybean processing plant; glycerol, from the production of biodiesel; Tebuconazole, a fungicide; and glucose, used as a reference substrate. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) and the degree of acidification of each substrate are also determined. After glucose (average hydrogen release of 24.8 mL g COD−1), protein effluent provided the highest hydrogen yield (1.74 mL g COD−1). Acetic and butyric acids presented the highest VFA concentrations. Fermentation of Tebuconazole presented the highest degree of acidification. Some considerations are made about the biological processes involved in hydrogen production.

Networks in Argentine agriculture: a multiple-case study approach

Argentina is among the four largest producers of soybeans, sunflower, corn, and wheat, among other products. Institutional and policy changes during the 1990s fostered the development of Argentine agriculture and the introduction of innovative process and product technologies (no-till, agrochemicals, GMO, GPS) and new investments in modern, large-scale sunflower and soybean processing plants. In addition to technological changes, a quiet revolution occurred in the way production was carried out and organized: from self-production or ownership agriculture to a contract-based agriculture. The objective of this paper is to explore and describe the emergence of networks in the Argentine crop production sector. The paper presents and describes four cases that currently represent about 50% of total grain and oilseed production in Argentina: informal hybrid form, agricultural trust fund, corporate structure, and network of networks. In all cases, hybrid forms involve a group of actors linked by common objectives, mainly to gain scale, share resources, and improve the profitability of the business. Informal contracts seem to be the most common way of organizing the agriculture process, but using short-term contracts and sequential interfirm collaboration. Networks of networks involve long-term relationships and social development, and reciprocal interfirm collaboration. Agricultural trust fund and investor-oriented corporate structures have combined interfirm collaboration and medium-term relationships. These organizational forms are highly flexible and show a great capacity to adapt to challenges; they are competitive because they enjoy aligned incentives, flexibility, and adaptability.

Sensitization and symptoms associated with soybean exposure in processing plants in South Africa

Following the results of a previous study that highlighted the potential for significant levels of dust exposure in South African soybean processing plants, a clinical investigation was undertaken to study the respiratory health of workers in this industry. Workers from three soybean-processing plants were studied with a respiratory questionnaire and estimation of atopy and specific soybean IgE. A total of 144 of the 181 (79.6% participation rate) plant employees completed the questionnaire and 136 (75.1%) gave blood samples for analysis of specific IgE. There was a significant association between work-related chest tightness (OR 4.0 [95% CI 1.3-12.6]), work-related nasal symptoms (OR 4.3 [95% CI 1.3-14.6]) and cough or chest tightness after handling soybean (OR 3.6 [95% CI 1.1-11.6]) and soybean sensitization. There was a significant association between current exposure to dust during soybean off-loading and "flu-like" illness (OR 2.7 [95% CI 1.0-7.2]), and cough or chest tightness after such work (OR 7.4 [95% CI 2.4-23.6]). The strongest predictor of work related nasal symptoms was sensitization to soybean, the latter strongly predicted by the presence of atopy (OR 34.7 [95% CI 6.6-182.5]). Exposure and sensitization to soybean were associated with the presence of work related symptoms, including flu-like symptoms, cough, chest tightness, and nasal symptoms. The aetiology of these symptoms and more particularly the best intervention strategies require more detailed investigation.

The optimization of biohydrogen production by bacteria using residual glycerol from biodiesel synthesis

In this research the production of hydrogen by Klebsiella pneumoniae BLb01 using residual glycerol discharged from a biodiesel fuel production plant was investigated. Klebsiella pneumoniae BLb01 was isolated from a bacteria-rich sludge of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASB) of a soybean processing plant. A Plackett–Burman design (P-B) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were employed to determine the optimal condition for enhanced hydrogen production. The maximal hydrogen production, which was 45.0 mol % and with 98% of glycerol degradation, was achieved with the optimized medium with the following composition: 30 g L−1 glycerol; 3 g L−1 yeast ex tract 3 g L−1 K2HPO4; 1 g L−1 KH2PO4; temperature 39°C and pH 9.0. These results show the ability of this new strain of effectively converting residual glycerol into value-added energy products.

Inhalable Dust and Protein Exposur in Soybean Processing Plants

Little is known about inhalable dust concentrations in soybean processing plants in southern Africa. This project measured inhalable dust in soybean plants in the region and correlated dust measurements with total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor. Sixty-four personal inhalable dust measurements were taken in three processing plants. Levels of total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor were determined in only two of the three plants. Correlations between inhalable dust, total protein and trypsin inhibitor were determined for 44 of 64 samples. In plants' production areas, inhalable dust levels were 0.24-35.02 mg/m3 (median 2.58 mg/m3). Total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor levels were 29.41-448.82 microg/m3 (median 90.09 microg/m3) and 0.05-2.58 microg/m3 (median 0.07 microg/m3), respectively. No statistically significant correlations between presence of inhalable dust and soy trypsin inhibitor were found. Total protein and soy trypsin inhibitor were better correlated. This study indicates that total protein might be a good proxy for soybean specific protein concentrations in soybean processing plants.

Amino Acid, Carbohydrate, and Fat Composition of Soybean Meals Prepared at 55 Commercial U.S. Soybean Processing Plants

To quantify variation in U.S. soybean meals (SBM), samples were collected from 55 U.S. soybean (SB) processing plants located in seven of the geographic SB maturity zones at three time points. These samples were analyzed for crude and acid-hydrolyzed fat, oligosaccharide, and amino acid concentrations. Acid-hydrolyzed fat concentrations were poorly correlated (r = 0.28) to crude fat concentrations and were higher for SBM prepared in the southern zones (V-VII) as compared with the northern zones (I and II). Raffinose and verbascose concentrations were lowest (P < 0.05) for SBM prepared in northern maturity zones, while stachyose concentrations were highest for SBM prepared in central maturity zones (III and IV). Total essential, total nonessential, and total amino acid concentrations were lowest for SBM prepared in northern zones. There was variation in oligosaccharide and amino acid concentrations over time, probably due to variation in composition of SB arriving at the plants within maturity zone.

Effect of Overcooked Soybean Meal on Turkey Performance

Three turkey growth experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of overcooked soybean meal (SBM) on BW gain and gain:feed ratio (FE). On two occasions soybean meals were custom prepared by changing the temperature and the retention time (RT) of the desolventizer-toaster unit at a commercial soybean processing plant. Three different meals were produced for each occasion mainly by altering RT from normal to approximately 1.35 and 2.43 times normal operating conditions (designated SBM1 to 3 on the first occasion and SBM4 to 6 on the second occasion). For SBM1 to 6, urease activities were .06, .00, .00, .20, .01 and .00 ΔpH, protein solubilities in .1 M borate at 40 C were 44, 45, 16, 44, 32, and 24%, and protein solubilities in .2% KOH were 86, 84, 76, 90, 85, and 85%, respectively.In two sequential long-term experiments, SBM1 to 3 were fed to turkeys from 0 to 8 wk, then a control (normal processing conditions, SBMF), was fed to the all treatment groups from 8 to 12 wk of age. The SBM4 to 6 were fed from 12 to 18 wk of age after rerandomizing treatment allocation of replicate pens. In the first trial, poults fed SBM3 showed significantly reduced BW gain from 3 wk on and a lower FE shown at 9 wk. No difference in BW gain and FE was observed in the trial from 12 to 18 wk. In a 15-day, short-term experiment starring with 3-day-old poults and feeding diets containing SBM2 to 6, BW gain and FE did not differ among treatment groups.It is concluded that SBM did not show a detrimental effect on turkey growth until it was overcooked by 2.4 times the normal conditions. The usual operating conditions in a commercial processing plant are well within the range for producing adequate SBM for poultry feed.

Potential uses of commercial technologies for sheep and goat smallholders in Indonesia

For the identification and assessment of possible technologies for Indonesian smallholder sheep and goat producers, a survey of six specialized, commercial producers was made. Herd or flock sizes ranged from 13 to 400 small ruminants. Measures of biological and economic efficiency were studied. Major differences between technologies used and typical smallholder operations included intensive breeding with bucks or rams, regular animal health inspections, feeding of soybean waste as concentrate, use of hired labor, and sale of manure among commercial breeding operations. Correlation analyses indicated that most measures of productivity were not significantly correlated with size of operation. However, transfer of technology used by commercial, specialized farms to smallholders will have to include frequent mating services, improved plane of nutrition, and better preventative health measures. Economic analyses indicated that, for intensive breeding operations which achieved high reproduction rates, the feeding of soybean waste as a concentrate was profitable when the operation was reasonably close to a soybean processing plant.

Ultimate energy possibilities in conventional solvent extraction

AbstractA short historical background and present state‐of‐the‐art for energy consumption in a complete soybean processing plant is provided. This includes bean drying, preparation, extraction, distillation, desolventizing, meal drying and cooling and lecithin production. The paper details how to achieve a much lower energy consumption than is obtained in today's conventional plant operation.

Processing for production of edible soya flour

AbstractConventional soybean processing plants, as normally designed and constructed for production of animal feeds, are not suitable for production of edible soya flour without some modifications being made in equipment, process design and operating procedures. All sections of the plant are involved, from receiving and bean storage to final products handling. Experiences from four edible soy plants are described: one is part of a new processing complex, the others are conversions of existing, older processing plants. All are in commercial operation. The processing requirements for production of edible soya flour are reviewed and described with special reference to their application in the plants under study. Any conventional soybean processing plant that is normally well operated can be modified to permit production of edible soya flour.

Air Pollution Abatement Facilities at Soybean Processing Plants

Soybean processing plants are typical of facilities in which solvent extraction is the major unit operation employed. Hexane solvent is used to treat soybeans, producing both a vegetable oil and a residue meal product. The hexane solvent is separated from the oil and the meal, recycled and used again in a closed loop fashion. At several points in the process vent streams are produced resulting in the atmospheric discharge of hexane vapor. This represents an air pollution problem and facilities are required to eliminate the problem. An economic analysis of pollution abatement requirements for soybean plants indicates that thermal incineration is the optimum system that can be used. However, at high levels of hexane content in the vent streams, a combination of activated carbon adsorption of the smaller stream plus thermal incineration of the larger stream should prove the most desirable form of pollution abatement. The analysis given in this report can be used to determine which pollution abatement system ...

An application of mathematical programming to soybean processing

In this paper, a mathematical programming methodology is applied to a production planning problem involving a soybean processing plant which can purchase its raw materials from multiple origins and must ship its finished products to multiple destinations. A time horizon production planning model is developed, with the objective of maximizing the net income produced by this plant. This model is tested for a five origin, three destination, processing network, over a thirteen month time horizon. Test results, in terms of a production plan and associated purchasing-allocation decisions, are presented and discussed.

Sampling and Measurement in Soybean Processing Plants

AbstractSeveral soybean processing plants were involved in a plant survey to determine (a) material sampled, (b) method of sampling, (c) sample locations, (d) frequency of sampling, (e) variables checked, (f) method of sample evaluation, and (g) instruments used in sample evaluation. Errors in sampling occur more frequently than in sample analysis. It is difficult to obtain a material stream grab sample that is representative of the stream. The only accurate sampling and analytical method would be to sample the entire throughput tonnage of the plant. Since this procedure is not feasible, regular and consistent sampling of product streams must be maintained.